Will they or won’t they? That’s been the question on boxing fans’ minds for some time, but there’s now an official answer, folks: Carl Frampton vs Scott Quigg is on!
The highly anticipated showdown will unfold on February 27th at the Manchester Arena, UK. And given both fighter’s legions of fans in Ireland and Britain, one can already foresee a gargantuan spectacle looming. A sell out crowd and through-the-roof network ratings (probably for Sky Sports due to Eddie Hearn’s involvement).
Carl Frampton is Ireland’s number one son (well, perhaps joint with Barry McGuigan), and Scott Quigg is also a huge draw in his native Manchester. Both men are unbeaten world titlists, and will be dishing out thunder to decide the rightful owner of the WBA and IBF Junior Featherweight titles.
I for one am overwhelmed by this news – of course in a good way. The pair had been making serious headway in recent negotiations, but it all seemed…well, just a little too good to be true. Boy, was I wrong. And I’m glad about that.
“I’m delighted that we have finally got this fight signed,” Frampton told Boxing News. “This is the fight everyone has wanted for years, none more so than myself. I’m the legitimate champion and I’m going to his backyard to defend my title because that’s what champions do. On February 27 the fans will find out who the real champion is, I’m going to win this fight in style.”
“I’ve finally got the fight I’ve wanted for so long,” said Quigg. “February 27 will be the best night of my life. I’ve dedicated my life to this sport and I have never been more confident going into a fight, I know I will beat him in every department. This is a great fight for the sport and I’m delighted to bring it to Manchester and unify the division.”
“I am very pleased that we have managed to get this fight made,” said Frampton’s manager Barry McGuigan. “It will be a momentous occasion for British and Irish boxing. This is the fight the fans have craved and the one we have wanted all along. The atmosphere will no doubt be electric, but there is only going to be one winner on February 27, Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton!”
“Yes! All I can say is yes – get in!” said Quigg’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “This has been hard work but worth every second. … Can you even imagine the atmosphere, the tension, the drama? This is what it’s all about, roll on fight night! Scott Quigg has all the momentum going into the fight and will be crowned unified World champion on February 27.”
So there you have it. Frampton, Quigg, Cyclone Promotions and Matchroom Boxing are happy. And so are the fans.
Going into their early 2016 encounter, Carl Frampton stands at 21 wins, no defeats, with 14 knockouts, while Quigg carries 31 wins, no defeats, 2 draws, with 23 knockouts. Frampton currently holds the #3 spot, and Quigg #2 in our Junior Featherweight Rankings, only outranked by #1 Cuban standout Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Stay tuned for Boxing Base’s Tale of the Tape, Facts & Stats (Klitschko vs Fury and Cotto vs Canelo editions are now available).
Who are you picking in this hotly contested match-up? And given the quality and explosiveness of both combatants, will only a handful of rounds be necessary to decide the victor?
